Wednesday, January 6, 2010

This is one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE home dishes! These eggplant bites are super crunchy on the outside and soft n' juicy in the inside. Basically, they melt in your mouth after you bite through the light, crispy shell! When I was little, my mom used to cook a lot. I remember she always made these eggplant bites for my birthday parties because they made me so happy!

Step 2: Carefullycut between each slice of eggplant, do not cut all the way through so it will hold the fish paste together

Step 3: Pick up some fish paste with a round knife and stuff inside the opening of the eggplant

Step 4: Dip eggplant into tempura batter (to make tempura batter - mix water with powder and stir until there are no lumps or bubbles)

Step 5: Fry them over medium heat until they're golden brown on both sides

Step 6: In a small saucepan, heat up a tablespoon of Black Bean and Garlic Sauce, Sriracha hot sauce and light soy sauce over low heat. Add half a cup of water in the saucepan SLOWLY as you stir it together. Turn off heat and pour sauce over eggplant bites!

Have fun and I hope you like them as much as I do!!!!

Note: Few people asked me what was FISH PASTE after I made this post...

Well, What is fish paste?

Fish paste comes in all varieties/quality (depending on brand, origin and cost). It's very popular in Asia, so it can be found in most Chinese supermarkets everywhere. You may make it from scratch but I wouldn't recommend it if you're a busy person since it's quite a bit of extra work!